Women who participate in solar oven construction workshops and leadership development programs are encouraged to create their own grassroots organizations to address local community needs.  These are some of the successful initiatives which have been developed by local women in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua and financed through Fondo Proceso.

Health and Nutrition

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Reaching out to improve the health of underserved children, local groups alleviate malnourishment and promote healthy emotional and cognitive development through food distribution, regular weighing, and early stimulation activities.  Programs for women include health education, holistic health practices, natural medicine workshops, and pre- and post-natal care through midwifery.

Microfinance

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Recognizing the great need women have for income-generating activities compatible with traditional domestic responsibilities, Fondo Proceso has supported microfinance programs in Honduras and Nicaragua.  Through these programs, women receive education in financial literacy and have access to credit which enables them to develop or expand home-based businesses.

Sustainability

As local groups support the social and economic development of women and respond to local needs, they are encouraged to develop income-producing activities for their associations.  Striving toward long term sustainability, women's associations in Central America have generated income through the production and sale of natural juices (Nicaragua), natural products and medicines (Guatemala), and soy products (Honduras). 
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                Women's candle-making project in Guatemala
                                                                                                                            Photography by Tom Cogill